Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, the overtake of factory-made goods of all kinds has meant that artisan-supporting businesses are somewhat of a rarity. Especially now that cheap labor almost always moves to China and India, other small-scale handicraft entrepreneurs are left in the dust.
But there's been a resurgence, coupled with a nostalgia for simpler times, perhaps, of handmade goods from all over the globe. This SocialBusiness.org top list of artisan-supporting businesses showcases some of the companies who are making people a priority, rather than profit.
The result is a selection of products that, in the end, don't sacrifice quality or livelihood for cheap labor. From Kenyan art clinics to opportunity-generating accessories and online ethical retailers, artisan-supporting businesses are where it's at.
30 Artisan-Supporting Businesses
From Kenyan Art Clinics to Opportunity-Generating Accessories:
Tiana Reid — Feb 10, 2012 — Social Good
30
Zulugrass Jewelry
The Leakey Collection Employs Women in the The Rift Valley, Kenya
29
Hand-Dyed Ikat Handbags
Push Pull Cambodia is a Social Enterprise with a Sense of Style
28
Fair Trade Ugandan Goods
One Mango Tree's Clothing and Accessories Have a Beautiful Story
27
Online Ethical Retailers
SERRV Alleviates Poverty by Supporting Artisans from Around the World
26
Fair Trade Peruvian Handcrafts
Sanyork Promotes Artisans in a Poor Community of Lima
25
Apparel Against Slavery
'Stop Traffick Fashion' Supports Artisans Through Income and Resources
24
Traceable Empowerment Fashion
The IOU Project Employs Artisans in India and Shares their Stories
23
Peace Pillows
Oimei Co. is a Fair Trade Business Re-Investing Profits in Peacebuilding Initiatives
22
Abuse-Free Indian Carpets
Jaipur Rugs Creates Tantalizing Products for You to Happily Walk On
21
Fashionable Fair Trade Apparel (UPDATE)
Indego Africa Gives Artisans a Protected Place to Create
20
Culturally Relevant Luggage
Ethnotek Creates Bags Using Direct Fabric Trade
19
Edgy Fashion Co-Ops
Fair Trade 'Of Rags' Combines NYC Style with Ghanaian Fashion
18
Human-Oriented Handicrafts
Tekoha Promotes Sustainable Development for Brazilian Artisans
17
Psychedelic Handmade Belts
The Andean Collection is a Vivid and Ethical Line of Fashion
16
Kenyan Art Clinics
The Bombolulu Workshops & Cultural Centre Empowers Artisans of All Abilities
15
Socially Conscious Packaging
Level Ground Trading Re-Sealable Bags Take You Back to the Fields
14
Soulful Business Solutions
Yoga Company 'I AM.' Sees Itself as an Idea and Not a Brand
13
Opportunity-Generating Accessories
'Hands Up Not Handouts' Uses Business for Positive Change
12
Corporate Gifting for Good
Handcrafted Gifts from Zoe Alliance Offer Ethical Employment
11
Cow-Print Cushions
Deep Dark Africa Creates Simple Fair Trade Home Design
10
Charitable Animal Sculptures
The Bundu Designs Rhinos are Made from Wire
9
Capacity-Building Artisan Groups
The Nest Maiyet Partnership Creates Positive Impact (UPDATE)
8
Ethical African-Inspired Gifts
Bundu Works with a Support Group for HIV-Positive Women in Malawi
7
Vibrant Fair Trade Products
Global Mamas Helps Ghana-Based Artisan Reach New Markets
6
Empowering Recycled Bowls
This Crockery from Bundu Designs is African-Inspired
5
Cultural Clothing Tours
Verdes y Colores is the Vision of Sustainable Retail and Fashion
4
Ethical Silk Scarves
‘Cambodian Threads’ Gives School Supplies to Impoverished Kids
3
Socially Responsible Textiles
Proud Mary Provides Artisan Materials in Developing Nations
2
Sustaining Rural Development
Barefoot College Supports Professionals in the Majority World
1
Community-Focused Palestinian Produce
Zaytoun Imports Organic and Fair Trade Products
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Adaptive Community Hubs
Spaced Agency Designs a Space Supporting Small Businesses and Culture
Reintroduced New York Boutiques
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Jewelry Retail Technolgies
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Artisanal Spanish Olive Oils
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3d-Printed Rubble Furniture
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Artisanal Incense Collections
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Hospitality Home Decor
Marriott Design Shop Launched Hotel-Inspired Furniture
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Rise Baking Opens a Commercial and R&D Center in Atlanta
Art-Inspired Hair Salon Concepts
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Boutique Jewelry Concepts
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APOC London Boutique Doubles as Gallery for Designers and Artists
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KATE Blends Kabuki Artistry with Shadow-Enhancing Makeup
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Circular Fashion Creator Programs
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South Asian Design Galleries
House of Santal Edition 1 Presents Contemporary Furniture and Craft
Home Decor-Functional Workout Gear
Kenko Presents a Range of Workout Gear in a Sleek Design
In-Person Creativity Cafe Campaigns
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Retail-Style Hotel Commerce
Aven Hospitality Embeds E-Commerce Features into Hotel Journeys
Sports Lifestyle Retail
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All-Hours Micro Markets
Healthy Smart Mart is Enticing Entrepreneurs with Its New Model
Smart Kitchen Appliance Upgrades
KitchenAid Introduces Artisan Plus Stand Mixer with New Features
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Sheep Inc London Store Uses Sculptural Displays & Graphic Art
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Versatile Rotary Tool Systems
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Premium-Grade Coffee Carts
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Community-Centered Bakery Cafés
Paris Baguette expands through neighborhood café experiences
Second-Party E-Commerce Models
Neato manages online sales and logistics for consumer brands
Artisanal Barbecue Breads
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Boutique-Style Fragrance Shops
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Collaborative Hand-Knit Streetwear
MacMahon Knitting Mills and BEAMS Partnered for Knit Pieces
Home-Inspired Coffee Shops
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